The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is offering its popular Derby hat-making activity and hobby horse races again this year. Children who participate will receive free admission to the KHS campus, including its headquarters at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History and the Old State Capitol.
The 2009 Governor’s Derby Celebration is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 2, on the grounds of the Capitol. The second Derby celebration hosted by Governor and First Lady Beshear, this year’s event will offer an abundance of color, excitement, entertainment, children’s activities, and food prepared by the staff of the Kentucky State Parks system. There will be a nominal charge for food ($1 per item), but there will be plenty of free and unbridled fun for the entire family.
Even the grounds of the Capitol and Executive Mansion will reflect the celebratory spirit of the Kentucky Derby. Thousands of begonias, petunias and various other plants were added to the landscape, and the entire area underwent a spring makeover in preparation for the commonwealth’s most famous day.
In addition to hat-making and hobby horse races, families can also visit the KHS HistoryMobile exhibit, "Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln." This exhibit explores Lincoln’s frontier childhood, his career from a log house to the White House, and his struggles to end slavery and lead the nation through the Civil War. Lincoln bicentennial merchandise will also be available for purchase in the KHS area, located on the east lawn behind the Capitol building.
In case of rain, hat-making activities will be moved to the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, located at 100 West Broadway, in Frankfort. The Center for Kentucky History and the Old State Capitol are open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
